I would like to thank the Chronicle for featuring generally even-handed coverage of the NRA annual convention in Houston. The editorial "Gun sense" (Page B9, May 6) characterized the NRA leadership and the firearms industry as being entwined in some sort of symbiotic relationship having monetary profit as the prime objective. This narrative has been put forth for years by many sources as defining the motivation of the alleged dastardly mercenaries heading up the NRA.

The NRA membership, composed of millions of citizens who freely joined this organization are, thus, ill served by a leadership which would, if the narrative were true, sell them and the interests of the American people out for a dollar bill.

The recent panic buying of firearms and ammunition appears to have largely been brought about by the public's prception that some type of ban would be enacted by lawmakers following the shootings of the schoolchildren and teachers in Connecticut by a deranged loser. Did the same public question the lawmakers' motives or perceive that more laws on the books would pose no hindrance at all to the criminals and lunatics?

There is a component of the gun-owning population that has concluded that their personal and family safety and security is a responsibility that they are willing to own.

The folks who have come to this place, whether NRA members or not, are not under some oppressive, conspiratorial sway by any gun rights organization or gun industry gang. They seek only to maintain their rights under the law.

Regarding "IRS brass knew in 2011 of plan" (Page A3, Sunday), where's the scandal involved in reviewing the tax exemption requests of organizations that shouldn't be tax exempt? Those tea party and "Patriot" organizations are involved in and set up for the purpose of political advocacy, not social service. They have successfully bullied the administration into granting them tax exemptions anyway.

As 501(c)(4) operations, they don't have to reveal the names of their donors. That's what this issue is really about. The Citizens United decision continues to haunt our political system, and the wealthy and powerful consolidate their wealth and power by taking over every institution, perhaps in secret now, although the secrecy will no longer be necessary once it has served its purpose.